Can't Help Falling in Love Read online

  “The first two are important. Try the park and I’ll leave right now.” She saw that Evvie’s face was even more troubled. “Don’t worry. This will work out.”

  “Sure, I know. Thanks.”

  Brie grabbed her bag and left the house. Poor Evvie, she wasn’t used to navigating personal problems. She’d been the charmed child of the family. Brie chuckled as she got in the car. Getting hit by a baseball was a bad thing, but then Prince Charming rescued her. Maybe she was still charmed.

  * * *

  As soon as Mike got home, he opened the floor-to-ceiling windows in his sprawling lanai that overlooked a golf course, dropped down on a sofa and took the stolen purse out of his duffle bag. A spurt of guilt shot through him. He should have turned it in. But then he’d never know who the woman was. Her name wouldn’t be released to the public. Why did that even matter? People got hit by balls all the time.

  Confused by his behavior, he found a few incidentals inside the leather bag, but tucked away in a pocket was a phone and a driver’s license. Evangelina Gentileschi. Her picture was as pleasant as her face had been in person, which he got to see when her cap fell off. Wide, almond-shaped eyes, a mass of curly hair that had been put up in a ponytail, full, sensuous lips, 5'7”. She lived in Maryland. Not too far away. He glanced at his watch. The hour was late, though. He couldn’t go out there in the dark of night to deliver this. She’d think he was stalking her.

  Just send flowers and turn the purse into the park.

  Right, he would, as soon as he checked her cell, which was probably password protected but he tried anyway. The device opened. Oh my God. The screen saver showed seven women. All beautiful. Six sported dark hair, and accompanying them was a blond. He clicked into Contacts. At first, the list seemed messed up. For some entries, both names and numbers were given. Others, just: Callandra, Francesca, Gabriella, Mariella, Ravenna, Alexandra.

  The women in the picture, most likely. Mike punched in each contact until he found one with a D.C. area code. He’d try her first. But what if she told him to bring the purse to her and he didn’t get to see Evangelina? Well, he still had her address. He could always refuse to hand it over, too.

  After a few rings, he heard, “Hello.”

  “Hello. This is Mike Jagielski. I’m looking for Evangelina Gentileschi.”

  A hesitation. “Prince Charming.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I know about the rescue today.”

  “I see. Are you the sister who picked her up?”

  “Yes, Brie. What do you want with Evvie?”

  Evvie—how cute. The nickname fit her.

  He fingered the white leather pocketbook. “I have her purse.”

  “You took her purse?”

  “No, I found it under the pillow of an empty cot in the medical tent.”

  “That’s why the park didn’t have it.”

  “I’m sorry, but our fans aren’t all as honest as I am.”

  Now Brie laughed. “All right, I’ll let you talk to her.”

  “She’s there?”

  “Of course.” The woman sounded insulted. “I wouldn’t let her go home injured.”

  Mike wouldn’t know about how sisters related to each other.

  “How fast was your ball going, anyway?”

  He moaned.

  “Ah, that fast.”

  He liked this woman’s wit. “A hundred and three.”

  “Wow. No wonder her foot’s so bruised.”

  In a gravelly voice, he said, “I’m so sorry.”

  “She’s okay. I’ll bring her my phone.”

  He heard mumbling, then laughing in the background. On the line came a surprisingly husky voice. “This is Evvie.”

  “Hello, Evvie. Mike here. I think we met earlier today.”

  “How bad did my sister embarrass me?”

  “I’ve never been called Prince Charming before.” He added, “How are you?” in a lower tone.

  “Fine. My foot doesn’t even hurt right now. If you put ice on injuries like these, they stop aching after a few hours. And I can walk on it.”

  “You shouldn’t.”

  “I just tested a few steps. But I’m mostly elevating it. No need to concern yourself.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m responsible.”

  “Fate intervened.”

  He said, “Hmm,” with a lot of innuendo.

  “You have my purse?”

  “Yes, can I come to you?”

  “Too late. How about tomorrow morning? Brie’s making me stay overnight.”

  “Good. You shouldn’t be alone.”

  “She’s a mother hen. You’re feeling guilty.”

  “What if I come over around eight, then I can drive you home to Maryland?”

  “How do you know where I live?”

  “Um...”

  “That’s right. My license.”

  “I’m a snoop.”

  She laughed, and the sound was even huskier. “I would have snooped, too.”

  He liked how comfortable she was with herself. Then again, if she was brought up with all those sisters taking care of her, why wouldn’t she be? “See you tomorrow.”

  “Wait, don’t you have a game?”

  “Yeah, a new series. At night. I’ll have plenty of time to get to the field. And again, I’m sorry.”

  “Goodnight, Mike.”

  “Goodnight, Evvie.”

  Chapter 2

  Evvie opened the front door of Brie’s house the next morning. Mike Jagielski stood before her, looking silly with a purse in his hand. He was taller and more muscular than she remembered. And those shoulders—wow. “Hello, Evvie,” he said, his voice a low, sexy timbre.

  “Hello, Mike. I’m ready to go.” She closed the door of Brie’s house. The sun was bright and warm on this early mid-June morning. She sniffed, taking in that scent of the orange and yellow daylilies around Brie’s yard and the low purr of a lawnmower a few houses over.

  He escorted her to a flashy red vehicle that she couldn’t name because she didn’t care about cars. Once inside, he took to the road and smiled over at her. “So, what color is the bruise today?”

  Raising her foot, which was ensconced in light canvas sneakers, she said, “Red and navy. But it isn’t swollen.”

  “You’re not limping.”

  “Nope. I’ll take it easy today. I have to be to work at six tomorrow.”

  “Six a.m.?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “What ungodly job do you have that you’d have to get up that early?”

  “I’m a neonatal nurse.”

  “For preemies?”

  “Mostly.” Having taken offense at his phrasing, she added, “And to me, it’s a very godly job.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your work. Of course it’s a valuable profession. It’s just that...”

  “You’re getting in at six a.m. most mornings?”

  His brow furrowed. “Well, if I stereotyped your work, you just returned the favor.”

  She hid a smile and took out her phone. Called up a website. “I didn’t say that. The phrase was in an editorial about spending money on major league sports instead of hospitals. And I quote, ‘High-flying athletes regularly roll into bed at six a.m. while our nurses and doctors are heading into work to take care of the sick...’ Wouldn’t you consider yourself a high-flying athlete?” Even to her, the tone of her comment was demeaning.

  His hand tightened on the steering wheel.

  “Did that offend you?”

  “Well, yeah. I do good.”

  “Great. I’m glad.”

  After a bit, he said, “You don’t believe me?”

  She didn’t. But she couldn’t tell him that. “If you say you do, I believe you.”

  They drove farther.

  “Who are Callandra, Alexandra, Ravenna, Mariela and Francesca?” So, he was making nice. “Obviously Gabriella, Brie, is a sister.”

  “The rest of them are, too.”

 
“I thought maybe.”

  “What about you? Brothers and sisters?”

  Again, his hand gripped the wheel. “One sister. We were separated when my parents died.”

  “I’m sorry. Have you tried to find her?”

  “No. Long story why.”

  “You’re entitled to your privacy. But I’m not sure I could live without my family. I wouldn’t want to. What else do you do besides play baseball?”

  “Honey, playing baseball is a way of life.”

  “You’re busy during the season. What about the rest of the months?”

  He actually smirked at her. “You don’t know much about baseball, do you?”

  She couldn’t help the belly laugh that came out of her. “Let’s see: I know a slider is a breaking ball pitch that tails laterally and down through the batter's hitting zone; it’s thrown with less speed than a fastball, but greater than the pitcher's curveball.

  “I know a good batting average is anything even close to .300. And I know you and Jimmy Collins of the Devils are in competition for the most homeruns this season.” She’d found out the last bit when she’d looked him up on her phone.

  “Shit. You’re a fan.”

  “A rabid fan. But of the Lions, I’m afraid.”

  “Hush your mouth, mentioning them in this car.”

  They laughed together this time. That sound from him was...sexy, too. Of course it was. He oozed raw, animal appeal.

  “Favorite player?”

  “Luke Prescott.”

  “I know Prescott.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed.”

  “Season tickets?”

  “Between home plate and first. I had to spend half my salary on them, but I didn’t mind.”

  “You did?” He sounded horrified. Of course, the amount he and Luke and other MLB players earned was astronomical.

  “I’m joking. I can afford them.” He glanced sideways at her. “So what about you? What else does Evvie do for fun?”

  “I spend time with my family. I knit. I read. And I play softball.”

  “Like on a team?”

  “Girls do have those now.” Her tone was dry, mocking.

  Waiting a second, he said, “Boy, are we shooting off sparks at each other.”

  “I guess we are. Different lifestyles. Different values.” She touched the leather of the dashboard. The sleek chrome accents. “No worries. I’m still grateful for your help yesterday.”

  “I have solid values.”

  “Whatever.”

  When they pulled up to her house, she turned in the seat and held out her hand. “Thank you for the ride. No need seeing me to the door. Have a nice life, Mike. When I’m at a game where you play again, I’ll be sure to take cover.”

  She slid out of the car and walked up the drive. She was glad to get away from him. Some Prince Charming he was.

  * * *

  Fuck her, Mike thought as he accelerated fast and tore away from her house. Not only was she immune to his charm, she’d treated him like the kids in the neighborhood used to.

  Unworthy.

  Which, he thought in a moment of rare self-introspection, was the worst thing anyone could do to him. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  Going over the situation in his mind, his first thought was to find a way to appeal to her. Then he ditched that notion. Nope. Instead, he’d embarrass her, make her sorry she treated him so bad. She was a challenge now, but how to do it? Then, inspiration struck. He set an address in his GPS and in thirty minutes, arrived at the gates of a tall, sprawling brick home. He gave his name to the guard; they checked and let Mike in. He jogged up the sidewalk and reached to ring the bell when the door opened. “Hey, you son of a bitch. What are you doing here?”

  “I need a favor.”

  The man grinned. “Well, I owe you one for dragging me out of that bar a year ago. Saved my reputation. Come on in.”

  In an hour, Mike was the one laughing—at Evvie—as he drove away from the house. This was going to be fun. He checked the dashboard clock. Just time enough to get to his meeting with Dan Davis.

  The drive to his apartment building took a half hour. Dan let him into the modest space—no frills, only simple furniture and pictures on the wall.

  “Hell, Davis, I pay you enough to have a big house, pool and yard. Why do you live in this dump?”

  “Hello to you, too.”

  Mike closed his eyes “Sorry.” He gave Davis a bear hug. “I’m in a cranky mood.”

  “I can see that. We don’t have to meet today.”

  “I want to. We have some decisions to make.”

  “All right. Water?”

  “Yep.” He never drank coffee.

  The study they sat in was big and airy, at least, with open windows that let in a soothing breeze. Dan called up the information they’d need today.

  Champions Baseball Camps.

  Every time Mike saw the website, he felt better about himself. “So,” he said to his manager. “Plans for the expansion are almost done?”

  “Yep. Our donations are high, thanks to your appearances, and of course we have foundation money from you.”

  “And you.” Mike shook his head. “I still wish you wouldn’t donate half the salary I pay you.”

  “I only need half to live.”

  “You’re thirty. What happens when you and Suzie have a kid?”

  He shrugged. “I might change my mind. But right now, I want to talk about camp number twenty. We can make a big deal about the milestone. And the location is perfect for that kind of publicity.”

  “I guess.” Mike smiled. “I’m excited about it.”

  “Good, so am I.”

  * * *

  “Frankie, stop hovering!” Evvie’s voice was sharper than she intended.

  Her sister’s brows arched.

  “Oh geez, I’m sorry. I’m in a dismal mood because of Mike Jagielski.”

  Dropping down next to her on the couch, Frankie gave her an indulgent smile. “I would be, too, sweetie. He was responsible for that.” She pointed to Evvie’s foot, elevated on the coffee table.

  “No, that was an accident. On the drive home, he was a jerk.”

  “Yeah, he tore out of here like runnin’ from Five-0.” Her sister knew the street lingo because she was a cop, and a good one.

  “I was rude to him.”

  “You? Wait.” Frankie’s hand went to her heart. “Give me time to recover from the shock.”

  “Funny. He just rubs me the wrong way.”

  Frankie got a faraway look in her eyes. “That sounds familiar.”

  Thinking back to the guy who’d snared Francesca Marcello Gentileschi, Evvie smiled broadly. “How is Tyrell?”

  Her sister sighed. Frankie even appeared softer these days. Today she wore a pair of yellow jeans with a ruffled navy top, and her hair was down. “You know I don’t call him that anymore. Though he still calls me Francesca because he likes it. Anyway, he’s great. He gets his promotion to go to the Vice Squad soon. He’s always liked working undercover.”

  “Sounds dangerous.”

  “I know. But he can take care of himself. I loved when I worked undercover.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “In some ways, but I care about the work I’m doing at AMP.” Frankie had transferred to a special task force, Abuse and Missing Persons, a division of the BPD that dealt with domestic, child and elder abuse. “And I’m glad to be away from Lou.” Her former lover. Married lover.

  “Has he stopped calling you?”

  “Uh-huh. Man, he went nuts when he found out about Ty and me. I had to threaten to talk to his wife, which of course I never would have done.”

  “Good. I’m not judging you, honey, but I’m glad you’re out of that messy relationship. And that you’re in love with an available guy.”

  “Yeah. Who would have thought? I want to move in with him, but he says it’s too soon.”

  “Oh, dear. Would you move away from me?”

  “Nah, we’d
live here. I love my house down the street.” She scanned the spacious room where they sat. “And yours.”

  Evvie had had fun decorating her first private home. Two windows flanked a brick wall which she’d painted white. In one whole corner, green ferns and Hofstra thrived. She’d chosen a white fabric couch, with a peach, gray and light green flowered chair. Pillows to match that pattern perched on the sofa and floor. A lightwood coffee table completed the area.

  “I love this place, too. All the natural sunlight and pastel colors are cheery.”

  “Like you. Usually. Want to talk about Prince Charming?”

  “No, I want to forget all about him. I—”

  The doorbell rang. Maybe one of her sisters. She knew Frankie had called them.

  “I’ll get that. Ty’s coming over, so it might be him.”

  Evvie lay her head back, thinking about how glad she was that this sister had found someone. Truthfully, Evvie thought Frankie—and maybe Raven—would be the last ones to fall in love. From the foyer she heard Frankie’s voice, then a man’s. Ty.

  But her sister came inside with someone else. Evvie looked up into the face of Luke Prescott and her jaw dropped. “Oh, wow! Oh.”

  She started to stand, but he gave her that classic grin and said, “Please, don’t get up.” He practically took her breath away in tight jeans and a navy Lions’ T-shirt. His classic blond looks were even more impressive up close.

  “I know who you are, Mr. Prescott.”

  “Luke.” He drew his hand from behind his back and revealed the most exotic bunch of flowers she’d ever seen—orchids and astromeria intermixed with carnations and roses.

  “You brought me flowers?”

  “Nope. I’m only the messenger.”

  Confused, Evvie angled her chin. “I don’t understand.”

  “Can I sit?”

  “Of course.”

  He handed her the bouquet. A spray of fragrances filled Evvie’s head. She’d always been a sucker for cut flowers. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the scent. A chuckle brought her from her reveling in the natural beauty.

  “Read the card, Evvie.”

  She opened it. Sorry about yesterday. Get well, Evangelina. Mike. Her heart started to beat fast. With irritation!